IN THE HOUSE
Question ~ on the GM plant closure in Oshawa

Context : Supplementary Question

Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP): Mr. Speaker, this plant closure is devastating to thousands of families and to all of southern Ontario. We have to remember that billions of dollars came from Canadians to support General Motors in the past three years. It was given with no obligation to maintain jobs. It is clear that the Prime Minister is failing the people of Oshawa. He has no auto strategy and has shown no clean energy leadership. Why is the government giving up on Oshawa? Why is the Prime Minister not fighting for these Canadian auto worker jobs?

Hon. Navdeep Bains (Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the member opposite. We never have and never will give up on the workers in Oshawa. Today, we have our plan. Our plan is investing in people. It is because of our policies and programs that we have seen a record investment of $5.6 billion in the automotive sector since 2015, and $4.1 billion is directly attributed to the programs that we put forward to build partnerships, to see investments in our plants to make sure that they can compete going forward and to make sure that they get product mandates. We will continue to defend and support our auto workers.

Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister should be fighting for Canadian jobs, not handing out billions of dollars with no obligation, but that is exactly what the government did again last week. Another $14 billion in money for corporate luxuries like plush jets and stretch limousines, no obligations to workers or to communities. Every time there are handouts given to corporate executives, why are there no obligations to Canadian workers or communities? Why does the Prime Minister always give a blank cheque when he should be standing up for Canadian workers?

Hon. Navdeep Bains (Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, this is where we fundamentally disagree with the NDP. We believe in investments because investments lead to growth and growth means more jobs. This is our plan. We have been investing in Canadians. We have been investing in our companies. We have been investing in our regions. We have been investing in the automotive sector. That is why we have seen record investments of $5.6 billion in the automotive sector. That is why Toyota has invested over one billion dollars, Honda $500 million, and Linamar $750 million. These are clear examples that our policies and programs are working. We are going to continue to make sure we defend the workers in Oshawa.

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